Interior and National Administration Permanent Secretary Raymond Omollo has visited Trans Nzoia County and inspected two national projects initiated by the government four years ago which are; road construction from Kitale past Endebess to Suam Border that links Kenya and Uganda Countries as well as construction of Suam Border post that joins Kenya and Uganda.
He was accompanied by his East Africa Community Permanent Secretary Abduba Dubart together with County administration of Trans Nzoia led by Deputy Governor Beneah Kapkory
.PS Omollo disclosed that road construction was at 97 percent complete while Suam Border post was at 84 percent complete and will be complete in the next two and a half months.
He explained the importance of two projects as they will open up the entire country with its neighbor Uganda in terms of business as traders within the two countries will travel with ease and participate in businesses that will uplift their living conditions as well as improve trade between the two countries.
In terms of border post the PS explained plans the government has put in place of degazetting 50 hectares of Forest land of Suam and in conjunction with County Government of Trans Nzoia built some modern market as well as stalls that will uplift trade for locals at the area thus opening up the area to the world in terms of businesses as well as improve economy of the region as several job creation will be realized.
On her part, Trans Nzoia Deputy Governor Beneah Kapkory explained the importance of joint cooperation between national government and County government as tax that will be realized from traders will not only help improve the welfare of traders but also improve the tax collection of County that will see several other projects initiated by the County administration.
She noted that after completion of the border post, construction of a super market at the border will help the County set up other projects such as bus parks that will help improve the transport sector of the region as well as help in realization of tax collection by the County.
However, locals in the area expressed their displeasure in the manner construction of two projects has been going as they claimed the two projects have stalled despite the former government and now the current government’s visits to the area to assure them of completion within three months.
They called upon the government to mean what they say claiming it has been playing with the minds of locals by promising completion of the two projects within stipulated time frame but in return its pledge is not honored.
“We want to call upon this government this time to speak the truth as pertains these two giant projects that it initiated four years ago, let it complete the projects once and for all, our neighbours, Uganda started construction of their border post late but they are almost complete as compared to us,” claimed Isaac Ndiema, a resident.
Several other locals however were optimistic of completion of the projects within the stipulated time frame by the government.
